Craig James is Not a Boise State Broncos Fan

Hiring a PR firm to get a head coach fired for not playing your son does not preclude one from calling a college football game, nor does it preclude one from voting as a member of the media. Craig James casts an AP ballot. His Top 25 this past week was rather interesting. Here are some of the highlights.

Boise State is No. 24. Let me repeat that. Boise State is No. 24. The Broncos are 10-1 with a one-point loss to TCU. They haven’t played the toughest schedule, but a tougher one statistically than Virginia Tech (James – 4), Houston (James – 5), Michigan State (James -12) and Wisconsin (James – 13).

Boise State beat James’ 11th ranked team, Georgia, by two touchdowns in a de facto road game. They have fewer losses. Yet, somehow, they are ranked 13 places lower. They are ranked behind five-loss Missouri and four-loss Texas. Boise at 10-1 against the 51st ranked schedule is No. 24. Houston at 12-0 against the 111th ranked schedule is No. 5?

Seriously, did Chris Petersen not answer his text messages? Was he a little curt during a stop and chat in the gym? We’ll assume that’s not an optimistic sign for Kellen Moore and Doug Martin’s chances of winning the Pony Express Award.

Arkansas is No. 3. The Razorbacks are 10-2. They have only lost to LSU and Alabama. Fine. They were also clearly outclassed in both games. What is their best win? South Carolina? A comeback against 6-6 Texas A&M?

Oklahoma is No. 17. Kansas State is No. 8. Oklahoma is No. 17. Oklahoma has the same number of losses as the Wildcats. Oklahoma beat them by 41 points in Manhattan! There is no plausible argument for the Wildcats being a better team, let alone a demonstrably better one. That is insane.

Stanford is No. 10. I can see not being sold on Stanford. How are they ranked below No. 7 USC when Stanford beat USC and has fewer losses? Yes, the Trojans looked better against Oregon. In games that also counted, they scraped by against Minnesota and Utah and lost by three touchdowns against Arizona State, who just had their coach fired.

Clemson is Unranked. I don’t think Clemson is that good. That said, Clemson is 9-3 and beat James No. 4 team, Virginia Tech, by 20 in Blacksburg. They beat Florida State (James -25) and have a better record against a tougher schedule.

Not sure what Craig James’ justification for these votes would be. I am sure said justification would be accompanied by his smarmy politician smile. James is both the lead bad voter (885) and the lead good voter (168) on PollSpeak.com this week. That poor Spaeth intern needs to pick up his pace.